Don’t forget to tune into Good Morning Texas at 9am!  Blast by Bethany is being featured LIVE at BEYOND Pedaling studio.

**UPDATE: Click here for the full video!

The #1 question we’ve been asked since BEYOND Pedaling opened in January 2012: 

What pedaling shoes and why pedaling shoes? 

Would you go ice skating in tennis shoes?  Play football without cleats?  Take a ballet class without ballet slippers?  Probably not.  Pedaling shoes were developed, designed and engineered to give you the best workout possible when you are in the “game.”  Pedaling shoes with clips connect you with your state-of-the-art Keiser M3 Plus bike…literally.  

In Pilates, we talk about maintaining the connection between your body and the bed—pedaling shoes are your connection to the bike.  They promote the effective power transfer from your legs and pedaling efforts to the Keiser M3 Plus.  You are getting the most fitness “bang” for your effort “buck.”  

Why does BEYOND believe in pedaling shoes?

1.  Improve pedaling efficiency

Clipless pedals paired with the correct shoe improve efficiency on the bike because it makes you and your bike act as one.  You will not be able to tell where your bike ends and where you begin.  When you move, your bike moves.  Once you hear the “click” of you locking into your pedals, you’ll know what we’re talking about. “Click”…class is in session! 

2.  Train more muscle groups

Indoor pedaling shoes are lightweight.  Instead of just beating down your quads, you will recruit your hamstrings, glutes, and calves.  You’ll be putting in an effort, and since you’ll be more efficient recruiting muscle fibers, it will feel like a full body workout.  

3.  Maximum impact from your workout

Pedaling shoes are designed with special outer soles to help transfer power from your body to your leg, to your foot, and to your bike in the most efficient and comfortable way possible. The outer soles are more stiff than regular shoes. This allows for immediate power transfer and eliminates any chance of getting sores on your feet.  Maximum impact and maximum comfort.

Okay, so which shoes?

Indoor pedaling shoes by Shimano, Pearl Izumi, Sidi and Specialized are very popular options. We have narrowed our selections to Pearl Izumi (fashion meets pedaling—think Bethany) and Shimano (more athletic—think Brandi).  By the way, our Pearl Izumi shoes allow you to run a few errands since they can be worn off the bike and look like cross trainers.  

When you go to purchase your first pair of pedaling shoes, you will be asked, “Look or SPD?”  DON’T PANIC.  These are not some secret code words to discern whether you are a pedaling impostor.   Essentially, there are two clip-on formats—SPD and Look (like VHS or Beta for those of us who grew up in the 80s).  When you purchase pedaling shoes, one of these clips will be placed on the bottom of your shoe.  

The bikes at BEYOND Pedaling have two-sided pedals: one side is a platform with an adjustable strap for regular running shoes; the other side is either compatible with an SPD (a recessed clip more popular for indoor pedaling) or Look (exposed clip more popular with people like Lance Armstrong).  

**hint, hint if you’re a BEYOND Pilates client and you are reading this, you probably want SPD**

BEYOND Pedaling made the list!  D Magazine chose us as one of their five favorite workouts in Big D.  We are BEYOND honored.

In case you haven’t seen it yet (and even if you have…it’s worth a second read!), here’s the write-up:

Class: Beyond Pedaling

What It Is: An indoor cycling studio in Snider Plaza. We love the Barre Blast + Bike class, a combination of 25 minutes of spin class and 25 minutes of ballet-inspired barre work that equals 50 minutes of pure, head-to-toe toning.

Why We Like It: The classroom is hip, lit up like a nightclub with colorful LED lights. A big screen at the front of the room plays music videos (nothing makes me pedal faster than Christina Aguilera’s “Fighter”), and instructors are all sorts of energetic. The time flies by (as it does when you’re having fun) and our bodies were sore for days in all the right places. (Buns, abs, shoulders, and thighs.)

Cost: $15 for your first ever class, followed by $30 a pop in singles, and packages ranging from $80-$300

Schedule: Click here.

At BEYOND Pedaling, your workout experience is made better because of our unbelievable crew, our motivating Board That Takes You BEYOND, our no experience-required/”come as you are” mentality, our new and different class formats, our sleek, nightclub atmosphere, and our Pilates-based instruction that will protect your body during the ride.

What is your astrological sign and do you fit the description?

I am a LEO!  And I do very much fit this description…I am quite independent and not afraid to go against the grain if that is what my heart tells me!  I can be a bit set in my ways at times, yet I love to experience new things and ideas.  

And when I’m not working, I’m quite laid back!  I so love the sun (and the beach).

What is your favorite guilty pleasure?

My favorite guilty pleasure is by far a fantastic glass of bold and oaky red wine…coupled with good food and great friends, of course!

What makes you laugh?

My one and only nephew, Tripp Madden Hodges, makes me laugh nonstop!  He has the most amazing sense of people and he loves, loves to spend time with his “Aunt Mamie.”  He is the most amazing gift I have ever received in my life!

What’s your favorite way to break a sweat?

In Dallas, my favorite way to break a sweat is to head out for a long run in the Lakewood area, zigzagging through the beautiful homes, trees and historic neighborhoods.  I will set up a playlist so that the first 20-30 minutes are at a steady pace, with the music picking up in beat and intensity for the next 20 minutes for intervals, and then finishing back with a steady pace for another 20-30 minutes.  Feels AWESOME at the end!

When I am traveling, jogging through a new city is the best way to explore first thing in the morning.  It all seems “untouched.”  I have jogged my way through Paris, Istanbul, Santorini, Mykonos, Madrid, Spain, Milan, Italy, London, Hong Kong, Bankok, Thailand, New York, San Francisco, the wine country…your feet can take you anywhere!

What’s the hardest thing you’ve ever done?

The hardest thing I have ever done is survive a heart-wrenching divorce this year.  I read a quote once that said, “Chaos can either bring a breakdown or it can bring a BREAKTHROUGH.”  

This is so very true if we are patient enough to persist, believe and keep dreaming.

What’s the #1 most played song on your iPod?

I play “Keep Hope Alive” by The Crystal Method almost every time I want to pick up the pace for a surge or sprints.

What sound do you love?

To me, nothing is better than the sound of water…

In Dallas, the sound of rain…

On vacation, the sound of the sweeping ocean…is there anything better?  

Click the link above to check out this write-up by PinkMemo on our Snider Plaza studio, BEYOND Pedaling!

Check out The Rundown’s feature on BEYOND Pedaling!  We copied the article’s contents below for your reading pleasure:

Hey, Big Spinner

Cycling meets Pilates in new total-body workout

Not since you “accidentally” dropped your Junior Mints in your buttered movie popcorn has there been a more perfect pairing.

Except this one won’t make you fat. It helps you lose it.

Introducing the latest innovation in fitness at BEYOND Pedaling Studio.

Taking the basic concept of a spin class and making it more challenging, entertaining, and cardiovascularly beneficial, they’ve created three unique workouts set to high-energy music and lights.

And most importantly, they also make it okay to admit you’re going to a spin class in the first place.

BEYOND Pedaling utilizes pilates-based instruction that focuses on posture and body alignment while riding.

Pedal + BEYOND Pilates combines a 30-minute ride with 20 minutes of pilates to strengthen, tighten, and tone your core.

Barre Blast + Bike is a low-impact workout that gives you 25 minutes of cardio and 25 minutes of ballet-inspired conditioning at the barre. (Don’t laugh. Remember the male ballet dancer inBlack Swan? He married Natalie Portman after the shoot.)

Even the bikes themselves are revolutionary. Powered by magnetic resistance and featuring competitive stats from the other riders in your class, you’ll channel your inner Lance Armstrong in no time.

Just one with better posture.